Means for transferring designs to printing surfaces



23, 1 930; p, RQBINSON ET AL 1,776,326

HEARS FOR TRANSFERRING DESIGNS T0 PRINTING SURFACES Filed May :51, 1928 5 sheets-sheet 1 l llllll II [Hllllll HI Fig.1.

f G- 0 Airman is gi 7 arg n wws ak Sep 930. P. G. ROBINSON Er AL 1,775,326 MEANS FOR TRANSFERRING' DESIGNS TO PRINTING SURFACES Filed May 31, 1928 5 Sheets- 5mm 2 /N veN Tales 561M523, 1930. I p ROBINSON ET AL 1,776,326

"BANS F01 TRANSFERRING DESIGNS TQ PRINTING SURFACES raker 7 Sept; 23, 1930. p 5 ROBINSON ET AL 1,776,326

IEANS FOR 'I'RANSFERRING DESIGNS TO PRINTING SURFACES Filed May 3i, 1923 5 Sheds-Sheet 4 II E I I Sept. 23, 1930. P. s. ROBINSON ET 1,776,326

MEANS FOR TRANSFERRING DESIGNS T0 PRINTING SURFACES Filed May 31, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 VWMQW Patented Sept. 23, 1930 mm ism-E 153mm ,eoronnom vson, THOMAS slimmernownnax-nn nmonn HO MYARD i 'BEASLEY, AND 'roM SARGENT, or BRISTOL, ENGLAND a MEANS non 'rnsnsrnrmmennsrens To rial-m ne SURFACES Application'fi led my 31, 1928, Serial No. 281,835, and a Great minim June 1927;

This invention relates to lithographic or other printing operations where. an image 7 V (hereinafter referred to as original) is" transferred to a printingforma'a'nd the in- V vention is especially suitable for transferring a singledesign or'a group of designs from a prepared lithographic stone or plate, letterpress stone, or plate, sketch or like on to an- 7 other and usually larger plate of zinc, alumiw numor the like, the'single design or group of designs being transferred or offset on to the surface of the larger plate or maybe re- V peated a number of times thereon, these offset or transferred impressions being-capable of being spaced one fromthe otherat predetermined distances. a

forme support has designs or the like transferred toit by the aid of rolling contact of one surface upon the other in the absence of gears for obtaining the relative transfer a .movement. a

2s "Anaim of the invention'is to provide improved meansor devices adaptedmechanically to transfer designs from an original with facility and accuracy toa printing forms in any desired predetermined relation- 0 ship or repetition.

QAnjaim of the invention is to provide im provedmeans ordevices adapted mechanical- 1y to transfer designs from an original with facilityand accuracy to a'printing forme'in any-desired predetermined relationship or rep etition. c

V s The invention consists in apparatus for transferring designs to printing surfaces of Y the type described comprising a transfer or 7 4o intermediate element operating between an printing surfaces of the type-described com pri sing an arcuate ofi'set transferelement, pivotally mounted in respect to an original (which may also be arcuate and pivotally mounted) for receiving impressions from the original. 1

Further features of the invention will be hereinafter described and defined in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating a machine according to the invention:

, Figure 1 is a front elevation,

Figure 2 is a corresponding plan, v Figure 3 is an end elevation to a larger scale, 5 Figures 1 and 5 are, respectively, elevation and plan of an original support showing also hair-line means for initial adjustment of the originali,

Figure 6 is an elevation of stop means for adjustment purposes,

Figure 7 isan end elevation of a modified form of machine.

In carrying the invention into effect according to one convenient mode as applied to the transfer of designs-from an original, having a reciprocating movement, indirectly to a'printing cylinder or cylinder carrying a curved plate, a pair of beds or frames 10,11 is mounted at right-angles to each other, onev 30 (10) for the support of the original 12 and transfer element 13 and the other (11) for the cylinder forms 14. The frame for the'cylinder is provided with rails 15 or a track so that the cylinder may be traversed in an axial direction. Any suitable means may be provided for effecting the transitional axial movement of the cylinder, for example a power-driven worm 16 may be employed and adapted to cause, the displacement of the cylinder by aid of a nut device which may, if desired, be additionallyadjusted by a handwheel 17 Alternatively,the cylinder may be moved entirely by manual effort and a mi- 95 cr-ometer movement may, if desired, he introduced. Means are provided for giving the cylinder or plate a controlled rotary movement. Such means may comprise handwheels 18 at both ends of the cylinder carry- 10c ing pinions meshing with gear wheels 19 opatively connected to the cylinder.

The frame or support carries a platform 20 on which rails or slides 21 are provided for, the bed 22 upon which the original is mounted,.the arrangement being such that the Original is-cap'able of movement towards and away fromthe cylinder 14. Anysuit- I able means may be provided for reciprocating the bed or carriage 22 by power and/or by hand. Thus referring to Figure S the bed 22 may becoupled to an endless chain 23 meshing with sprockets 24 carried by the frame 10, one of the sprockets being provided with a hand-wheel 25.

McThe' framel Omay also serve'as a support for the transfer element whichv consists-of ed, .pendulumwise, so that it will automatically assume a given initial position. V

The transfer element 13 is preferably mounted so that its pivotal axis 28 may be displaced both withrespect to the original '12 and the forme 14 so-that a gap or interval may be afforded between either or both, such arrangement being convenient and suitable for setting or adjustment purposes in determining the point or position at "which the rolling contact shall commence.

I Adjustable stop devices may be provided for limiting'or setting the axial movement of the cylinder, for the reciprocating movement of the original and for the displacement or-rotary movement of the transfer ele ment. If desired, stops may be also employed in connection with the rotary movement of.

the transfer element.

The stops used in. connection with the orig inal 12 comprise projections 29 on the bed 22 which are adapted to engage adjustable stops-30 carried by plates and fixed in position by bolts engaging the undercut grooves 31 in the platform 20. The stops 30 are readily"removable from the plates 32 so that forwardly .into position belowthef transfer element 13 whichis moved to or set in one of should it be necessary to move the stone nearer to the cylinder the right-handstop (see Figure 5) may be removed so that the corresponding projection 29 becomes inoperative and the bed 22 is brought to rest by the left-hand stop.

The positioning of the transfer element 13 is controlled by a projection 33 carried by the element which is adapted, to engagestops 1 34,135 on one of the levers 26. The stop 34 is pivotally mounted so that it can be, swung out of the way of the projection when it is desired torotate the element into the position for transferring the design to the cylin-' der 14, in, which case the; projection 33 is brought into contact with thelmicrometer stop 35. The pivoted stop locates the transfer element in position forreceiving the des1gn from the original.

The stops for locating the cylinder rot-athe heads 39 between"which"thelcylinder is mounted. The stop for.determining axial disposition of the cylinderimay comprise a hair-line device 40 carried by the side plate 37 andeo-operating with a longitudinally ar- .7

ranged scalel41 mounted onthe rail 15. The

stop 38 on the head at one end may be ar-.

ranged for one setting ofthe cylinder while those at the other end may be 'arranged for.

a different setting;

I An alternative construction for determin 42 is provided and is carried in bearings 43',

'44 on the rail 15. Thebar is provided with a number of longitudinal slots: 45, in which 'tionally with respect to-the transfer element 7 "comprise pivoted stop members'36 carried by the'supporting side plates 37 and adapted to engage adjustablevstops 38j 'mounted on adjustable, stops 46 are located so that a plu-i rality of series of stops is providedwhich are displaced along the bar asdesired. The bar is adapted to be rotated tobring the desired series of stops into position to be en gaged'by a pivoted indicator or pointer 47 which is carried upon the side plate 37.. The bar is prevented from rotating'by a pivoted catch 4S whi'ch engages in one of the slots 45. The pointer 47 is counterweighted so that it will be constrained to contact witha stop 46' when in the Vertical position andby' reason 148 havingascrew shank 49 which-operates in thefinut 50 fixed in the bearing 44; 'Back lash is taken up by the spring 51. The periphery of the hand-wheel is'graduatedyand an indicator 52 provided so that'the amount of longitudinal displacement of the stop-bar may be determined. 7 V Y V In operation the-original 12 is reciprocated its positions in whichthe projection 33 abuts against the stop 34. Thetransferelement is vertically displaced into contact with the surface of the original which is then recip rocated outwardly so that the transferieletact the transfer element is freed from the 7 stone and is rotated anticlockwise into a position to transfer the offset, impression to the cylinderor curved plat-e that is to say,

' with theprojection 33 abutting against the not relatively displaceable toward or away Q from one another, the cylinder is rotated at an appropriate positionjto receive the transfer and the transjfer element is 'then turned over 7 7 into contact with the cylinder and the cylinder is rotated so that the two inovetogether in rolling contactiandthe design is transfe'rred from the elementto the cylindrical surface. Where relative displacement ofthe element and cylinder towards or away from one another is provided, as shown in the drawings, thenecessary adj ustinent is made while theelement and cylinder are spaced apart, so that the rolling contact; maybe established where desired as above when the two are brought together.- When the necessary adj ustments have been effected and the-transfer element brought into contact with the cylinder, the latter is rotated causing rotation of the transfer element by frictional rolling contact and,"consequently, transference of the design from ithe "transfer element to the 7 cylinder. I

The operation maybe repeatedin order to transfer to the cylinder a series or groupof designsin'any desired spacing or contiguous relationship, or a group of superimposed 'de signs spaced one from the other In this way the surface of the cylinder may be filled with the series or group of designs, when if it is sordesired a second group or series of designs may be imposed upon thecylinder at any pre-v determined interval from the previous set or group orcontiguous relationship by stepping the cylinder axially into the required position'i V 1 4 Y a In utilizing the apparatus for multi-colour or like work, one plate or forme will be pre pared for one colour or character of printing,

while another or other plate or plates will i be '1 prepared for the other colours or' characteristics. It will be appreciated that the disposition of the designs upon the various plates must be such that when utilized for printing purposes the designs on the various plates may be brought into accurate register.

Owing, however, to unavoidablealterations which take place,fsuch for example as the shrinkage or expansionof the paper, it is insufficient to transfer the design impressions corresponding with the various colours in exactly thesame relative positions upon each plate; Allowance or accommodationmust be provided for, which corresponds with the distortion, shrinkage or other variation which may ise i th P in P o es CQ ing h n e tio in o e o vercome. the a o de e an Pr e an apparatus in which actual colourprinting re istration-ma be erected, both the axial displacement of the printing forms and the ar'cuate displacement of the transfer element maybe provided with micrometer means or adjustments to allow for the deviations or position to another in-accordance with markings equivalent to the arrangement of the stops, the hair-line is displaced backwards or forwards by means ofthe micrometeradjustment to'a degree predetermined according to theamount of shrinkage or contraction, for example, of the paper so that in moving from one'situation to another the actual displacement of the cylinder is not that which is represented between one mark and'another but an "increment or decrement of such displacement corresponding with thepreliminary adjustment of the hair-line.

Alternatively, the bar or scale used in conjunction with the hair-line may itself be displaceable by micrometer means to produce the same effect. In the form shownin' Figure 6 the necessaryadjustment is provided by the longitudinal movement'of the bar42 by the hand-wheel 48.

In order to take care ofthe registration 'circumferentially of the plate or cylinder,

thestops in association with the transfer element may individually or bodily be capable of micrometer adjustment as indicatedwith reference to thefstop 35, so that the exact position of point of contact between the transfer element and the cylinder may be altered inaccordance with the, variation to be provided for. Alternatively the stops 38 utilized to determine the position of the cylinder or forme may be in a like manner individually adjustable circumferentially; or the stops 38 may be mounted upon a disc or bezel which is capable of relative angular adjustment with respect to the printing forme or the im-' pressions thereon so'that the position of the stops as a whole may be adjusted.

Displacement of the transfer element with respect to the cylinder and original has been referred to above for the purpose of deter-.

no i

sumes a floating position in which it is neither in contact with the original nor the forme. According tothe preferred arrangement the two pivotedlevers 26 are connected at their ends by a pair of links 53 toarms or levers 'otcarried by and keyed to a transverse rotary shaft 55. This shaft carries, rigidly secured V thereto and preferably intermediate the link connections, a double-armed lever 56 which has depending from ita pair of slotted links 57, 58. 5 These links are pivotally secured to the double-armed lever one on each side of the shaft 55, and one of these links 57 is ad justable longitudinallyof the double-armed lever 56. Theslots 59, 60 of the-links 57, 58

I are engaged. by a pair of pins 61, '62 projecting from another lever 63-;o-ne end of which is weighted by the weight 64k and the other end provided with means for adj l sting a variable counterpoise 65L Thepivot- 66 of this counterpoise andweighted lever is adjustable ina vertical sense,.either upwardly or down wardly, the arrangement being such that an upward adjustment of the pivot throws a strain ,upon the'link 57, causing the doublearmed lever 5 6;to rotate clockwise and thus bring the transfer element, through the displacement of its pivotedlevers, into contact with the original. The addition of weights to thecounterpoise 65will increase the pressure of the contact between the transfer element and the original. 1

If the pivot 66 of the weighted lever is moved downwardly then the transfer element is in a corresponding manner, in association with the otherslottedlink 58, brought into contact witlrithe-cylinder or forms-14 and the pressure thereof may be adjusted bythe variation of the counterpoise. v The adjustment of oneof thelinks 57, 58

" affords means for providing a differential pressure between the transfer element and the original, or-between the transfer element and the cylinder, while in one position the pressure in connectionwith the original and in connection 'withthe forme may be'uniform. Such adjustment is effected by mounting. the pivot of the link 57 andthe pin '61 in slides-67 which are capable of movement along the levers 56and 63.

The vertical displacement of the pivot 66v of the lever 63 is effected by connecting such pivot to an armv68 rigid on the shaft 69, the latter being rotated by the hand lever.

j'usted positions. V p The bed' or carriagefor theoriginal 12 is p o ded wit n; ppe pa t-7 cap ble f limesae' 70 which isproyided with ca catch;(not

shown) engagingin slots in aquadrant ,71 wherebythe parts may be locked intheiradrotational-movement in a'horiZiontal plane 7 about the pivot- ,7 3 whereby the original may be rotated in order to alter the sense of the impressions transferred to the cylinderjor forme 1s; [A pivoted catchfi l is provided on thebed 2 2,adap'tedto co-operate with steps :75 on the upper part 72 whereby the to the'bed 22' in either V g0 The initial adjustmentof theoriginal relalatter may be locked of the adjusted positions, f

tively to the bed 22both laterally and verti cally is effected bythfe screw-adjusting devices 76 which are associated with the upper part 72 anda' carrier orboX 77 in whichthe original is disposed. a I r In order to locate or register the position of the original initiallyfa setting g'auge 78-is provided comprising asheet ofplate glass or other, suitable transparent material :which is provided with-a pair of crossed hair-lines79 or a transparency {of the ;original-design;fl-

The plate glass has apairofballrendedglocatmg plugs SO adapted to seatwithin recesses in pillarsgSl fixed upon the upperpartZQ of thebed. 1 "The pillars arefixedrelatively to the pivotal axis- 73 andby use of thegauge the originaliscorrectlysetrelativelyto such i axis.

Figure-7 shows a modiliedform of appa-- ratus iniwhich instead of employing a;reciprocating support for the original, itis supportedupon an arcuate plate or member 80 which is pivotally mounted at 81' so" that, it may be rotated or oscillated 'toeifect the desired transferring rolling contact. The original is carried upona-member or plate held] at one end by the clamp 82 andatthe, Other by.

a straining bar 83. An adjustablest0pf84 is provided adapted to be engaged by the jaw stop'85 to determine the position of the originaliin relation to the transfer element when contact is made. The other parts of the machine agree with ths first described modifica tion and bear corresponding references. As in the prev ously described case means maybe provided for giving the arcuate .original'sup port a displacement-for adj ustment' purposes. *According'to a" modification the design or series ofdesigns may be transferred direct to the cylinder by providing a reciprocating rotary or oscillatory originalsupport, adapted to be brought under orinfcontact with the 7 cylinder so that a rolling transfer contact maybe effect-ed between the two, means be ing provided for vertical or other displace- 'ment of the original or cylinder for setting or adjustment purposes, while relative move; r

ment may be; provided stepwise for distributing the sets or lineage groups of designs laterally over the cylinder.

' I I Having now described our invention, what weclaim as new anddesire to secure by Let- Y .ters Patent is 1 t 1. Step and repeat apparatus for transfer 7 ring designs to printing surfaces comprising a cylindrical printing forme adapted to receive impressions from an original by the aid of rolling contact of one surface, upon the other for obtaining the relative transfer movement, a pivotally-mounted frame, a.

moving the original in a rectilinear path to l transfer the design to the transfer surface While imparting a rotary displacement of such surface by reasonof the frictional contact, and wherein means are provided for rotating the printing forme for transferring the design from the transfer element to the "forme while imparting a rotary displacement of the transfer surface by reason of the frictional contact ofsaid surface with the forme.

Step and repeat apparatus for transferring designs to printing surfaces, as claimed in claim 1, wherein "the pivotally mounted frame is coupled toa weighted lever adapted to secure a mechanical advantage to create and maintain pressure for the rolling contact.

4. Step and repeat apparatus for transferring designs to printing surfaces, comprising a cylindrical printing forme adapted to receiveimpressions from'an original by the aid of rolling contact of'one surface upon the other for obtaining the relative transfer movement, a pivotally mounted frame, a

' transfer element rotatably'mounted on said frame, the arrangement being such that the transfer element maybe moved into" contact with'the original or the printingsurface or to i a neutral position, and stops for determining the position of the original design, the transfer element and the printing forme relatively to one another. T 7 V 5. Step and repeat apparatus for'transferring designs to printing surfaces, as claimed in claim 4 comprising apivoted stop on said frame, a projection on the transfer element adapted to engage said stop, for adjusting the element with respect to the original design, and a micrometer stop on the frame for adjusting the transfer element with respect to the cylindrical printing forme. 1

6. Step and repeat apparatus for transferring designs .to printing surfaces as claimed in claim 4 comprising a bed, a support for the original designslidingly mounted on said bed, a pair of projections on said sliding sup- Pe -be d adj stab e s ops em va ly ma n ed n saidbed anda apt d tqb e ag dhy sa proje ion for hepurposes s t orth- T 1 a d ep apparat f r ran istring designs'to printin surfaces/as claimed in claim 4 comprising a ed, a support for the original design slidingly mounted on. said be a p r of proj c io s n i li i g'sun Part n i s a t ps r mor y mean ed on said bedand adapted to be engagedby sa d pro]ect ons, and:whereln the original de- A sign support is'mounted for rotation about i a verticalsax'is and co perat ng PS *II'QPI'Q? videdforholcling aidsup r w e de- S normal t t e aris q p in ng orme or at any other predeterminedangle thereto.

1 f 8, Step and, repeat apparatus for transfer: {111g designs to printing surfaces as claimed iniclaim 4 comprising a bed, a support for the original design slidingly mounted on said bed,

a pair of projections on said sliding support and adjustable'stops removably mounted on said .bed and adaptedto be engaged said p biec i n a wh e a mev e hair line gaugeis provided for initially adjusting the design on said support, saidgauge having projections adapted toc engage inirecesses in h'e pport j a H ep'f i pea app t s f r ans e ring designs to, printing surfaces as claimed in claim 4 comprising a supporting frame car: ryingthe cylindrical forme for rotation there: witlnheads arranged at the ends of the cylinder, a dj ustable, stops carried by i the heads, and forkmember's pivotally mounted on the supporting frame and; adapted to engage said stops. j I

5 10. Step and repeat. apparatus for 'trih,

ferring. designs toprinting surfaces as claimed inclai'me, comprising, a supporting frame carrying the cylindrical forme, saidframe being axially adjustable with respect to the bed of the machine andstops for determining said axial position. j

lib-Step and repeat apparatus for trans? ferring designs to printing surfaces as claimed in claim 4,compris ingra, supporting frame carryingthe cylindrical forme, said frame being axially adjustable with respect to the bed ofthe'machine and stops for determiningsaid axial position, said stops comprising a pivoted pointer carried by the forme support, a longitudinally slotted bar carried by the bed of thema chine, and adjustable stops in said slot, the pointer being adapted to engage and override said stops.

12. Step and repeat apparatus for transferring designs to printing surfaces as claimed in claim 4, comprising a supporting frame carrying the cylindrical. forme, said frame being axially adjustable with respect to the bed of the machine and'stops for determining said axial position, said stops comprising a pivoted pointercarried by the forme support, aibar mounted for rotation on the bed of the machine and havinga plurality of longitudinally extending slots, and. adjustable stops in said slots, the pointer being .adapted'to. engage in a predetermined 4 'slotand engage and override said stops.

' (13f Step and repeat apparatus for transferring designs to printing surfaces as 'claimed'in claim 4:, comprising a supporting frame carrying the cylindrical forme, 'said v 'framebeing axially adjustable with respect 'to'the bed bf the machine and stops for determining said axial position, said .jstops comprising a pivoted pointer carried'by' the I forme support, a bar mounted'for rotation on the bed of the machine and having a plurality of longitudinally extending slots, means for axial micrometer adjustment of the'bar With respect to the bed of the ma- '7 chine, and adjustable stops in said slots,the

Y a pointer being adapted to engage in a predeterminedslot and enga'ge and override said stops. m a n :1

' "14, Step andrepeat' apparatus for trans-,

, ferring designs to printing surfaces compris- '5 ing a cylindrical printing'forme adapted to receive impressions from an original the aid ofjrolling contact of onesurface upon the other for obtaining the relative transfer movement, a transfer element operating betweenthe original and the printing forme, means for displacingithe transfer element in a" predetermined path so that the element may be moved into contaot with the original or the printing 'fOImG'QT'tO a 'neutra-lyposi 7 tion and meansfor circumferentially and u I longitudinally adjusting-the printing forme relatively to the transfer element whereby the' original de'sign'may'be repeatedly "transferredto said printing'forme in stepped ref I 40 l'ation circumferentially and longitudinally thereof; 1 v I In testimony whereof We have signed our names to thisspecification. l

PERCY GOTGH ROBINSON.

'g THOMAs SHIRLEY FOWERAKER.

HAROLD HOLMYARD BEASLEY. I TOM SARGENT.T j

usi 

